One of the suspects in the killing of a 14-year-old boy named Elias has confessed to police in Paris, France, just days after he stabbed the teen, who later died of his wounds. Authorities describe the suspects in the killing of the young teen as “African” and “West Indian” types, possibly motivated by antisemitism.
The suspects were arrested just hours after the stabbing, which took place on Friday, January 24. The pair are said to have been born in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, where the stabbing took place, and both have French citizenship.
The suspects, aged 16 and 17, allegedly attempted to steal a cell phone from the victim and stabbed him when he resisted. Elias died the following day in a local hospital.
However, some French media report there may be a deeper motive for the attack. The magazine Entrevue has stated that Elias was known to be Jewish and that the attack may have been a result of antisemitism. According to the magazine, Elias is the son of a surgeon, and they claim to have received information that both his Jewish faith and his family’s wealth may have played a factor in why the two suspects targeted him.
Antisemitism is a major problem in France, with many Jews fleeing the country due to high levels of hatred and violence in multicultural cities like Paris.
Since the October 7, 2023 attacks, antisemitism has dramatically increased to the point where French Israelis have called on Jews in France to pack up and move to Israel for their own safety.
